We are all somewhat guilty of narcissism. Writers, in particular, are very guilty. It takes quite a bit of self-love to believe that the random thoughts in one's head are actually worth other people reading. I'm writing right now. Therefore, I'm guilty. But, my narcissism is but a misdemeanor compared to Aaron Sorkin. It makes sense. In recovery, they teach you all about looking out for yourself. So it makes sense that a writer, especially a moralistic one like Sorkin, would come out of rehab completely obsessed with himself. But, even so, Sorkin has shoved his head so far up his own ass that it is coming back out his head. How self-congratulatory can a show about a comedy show be. And I know I'm not the first person to ask this, but why isn't it funny? At first, I was thrown. Sports Night was technically a comedy-drama and The American President was technically a romantic comedy so he should be able to write a funny scene. But, then I remembered neither one was actually funny. Their appeal stemmed from that breezy dialogue and moral and political correctness that they exuded and The West Wing perfected. Studio 60 hasn't had a funny moment that I can recall at this moment, but it has had a moment so audaciously self-congratualtory and self-absorbed that I still cannot really believe that it happened. One of the characters asked Christine Lahti's character why she is writing about their show and not important world issues. She replies "Because I think that pop culture is important and this show, in particular." Whoa! Get over yourself Aaron. The reason why nobody is watching the show (other than that it isn't funny) is that none of the characters are remotely well developed. The blonde woman is a Christian (and a tolerant one), D.L. Hughley is the token black guy and apparently used to be in the gang. There is also a scrawny white guy with dark hair who we know absolutely about, other than that he is scrawny dark-haired and white. Why don't we know anything about these people? Because they aren't Sorkin's alter egos. Matthew Perry is because he is a brilliant writer too good to be working in TV. Bradley Whitford is because he used to have a cocaine problem. Sure, Amanda Peet could probably make Eva Braun likeable but it's not enough. It's just not enough. The show is doomed. Ratings have fallen off almost by half and how many more times can we stare at Matthew Perry looking at "the board" having writer's block. It's really too bad. I am fascinated with TV production, a sucker for Modernist self-reflection, and an even bigger sucker for shameless emotional manipulation. Yet, somehow, they have lost me. Stop looking into the pool, Aaron! There are other people out here